Medium-chain length fatty acids, salts and triglycerides in combination with gemcitabine for treatment of pancreatic cancer
The present invention relates to the use of medium-chain length fatty acids of formula I, triglycerides of formula 2 (wherein n=6-10), salts thereof, or mixtures thereof, in combination with gemcitabine and optionally erlotinib in the treatment of pancreatic cancer in human patients. Exemplary medium-chain length fatty acid/triglyceride compounds include capric acid, sodium caprate, tricaprin, lauric acid, sodium laurate, and trilaurin.
1. A method of treating pancreatic cancer, said method comprising administering to a human patient in need thereof a pharmacologically effective amount of a compound represented by Formula I or Formula II:
wherein n is 8 and X is hydrogen, a metallic monocationic counterion or a dicationic counterion;
in combination with (i) gemcitabine or (ii) gemcitabine and erlotinib;
wherein said gemcitabine is administered at a subtherapeutic dosage.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the metallic monocationic counterion or dicationic counterion is selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the compound to be administered is a compound of Formula I in which X is sodium or potassium.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the compound to be administered is capric acid.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the compound to be administered is sodium caprate.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the compound to be administered is capric acid triglyceride (tricaprin).
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the compound represented by Formula I or Formula II is administered concurrently with administration gemcitabine or concurrently with administration of gemcitabine and erlotinib.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the compound represented by Formula I or Formula II is administered before commencement of treatment cycles with gemcitabine or commencement of treatment cycles with gemcitabine and erlotinib.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein administration of the compound represented by Formula I or Formula II is initiated upon diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in said human patient.
10. A method for treating pancreatic cancer in a human patient in need thereof, the method comprising administering to said patient:
(a) a compound represented by Formula I or Formula II:
wherein n is 8 and X is hydrogen, a metallic monocationic counterion or a dicationic counterion; and
(b) at least one (i) gemcitabine or (ii) gemcitabine and erlotinib;
wherein (a) and (b) are administered according to a dosage regimen providing a synergistic antitumor activity.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the metallic monocationic counterion or dicationic counterion is selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the compound of Formula I is capric acid.
13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the compound of Formula I is sodium caprate.
14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the compound of Formula I is capric acid triglyceride (tricaprin).